See This Boston Kitchen's Radical Before-and-After Renovation

Cramped, dark and utterly outdated, one Boston kitchen was at odds with its energetic young owners. Architect Aimee Bentley (beckwithbuilders.com) and designer Kristina Crestin (kristinacrestindesign.com) helped them completely reimagine the space: it's now open, inviting and chock-full of color.

Below are the before-photos of the space—courtesy of the homeowners. They show just how drab this kitchen was before the renovation.

These after-photos—courtesy of Jared Kuzia (jaredkuzia.com)—show this kitchen's bright metamorphosis.

An expanded window opens up the room with natural light. To maximize the airy aesthetic, it was intentionally left without curtains or shades.

A vibrant color scheme of indigo, chartreuse and mint green cooks up a space with as much personality as you'd find in a living room.

Petite open shelves keep necessities at the ready (cup of coffee, anyone?) and also provide a spot to introduce curated color and pattern.

Pale blue tiles bright the visual gap between the upper and lower inky blue cabinets to avoid a choppy feel. And because the tiles also cover the wall behind the sink, the room feels cohesive.

A Dutch door adds charm and fresh air while keeping pets and kids in—or out.

No task is too big for the combination microwave and wall oven, which maximizes efficiency on hectic school nights. The microwave has a convection mode so you can effectively end up with a double oven. It also ramps up productivity when they host large get-togethers. Bonus: It's a more streamlined look than a hulking microwave perched on a countertop.

The spacious apron-front sink looks at home in the historic bungalow. Better yet, even the largest pan will fit easily inside. (Crestin cautions against double sinks, as few kitchens have enough space to accomodate one large enough to scrub big pots and baking pans.)

Central to the overhaul with an expanded footprint that made way for a spacious walnut island. It brings a sophisticated focal point to the kitchen and adds functionality by way of additional prep space and seating.

Clear glass pendants provide task lighting without obscuring the view out the window.

Some things are mint to be! Powder-coated metal bar stools make for virtually indestructible kitchen seating, impervious to dings and stains.

Heat- and stain-resistant quartzite countertops look like marble but have the durability of granite.

The homeowners splurged on a counter-depth refrigerator to create a more streamlined look with the new cabinetry. And the reduced footprint allowed for more seating around the island.

These tweaks gave this Boston kitchen a beautiful face lift. For more info on how to keep your kitchen top notch, check out Ask the Test Kitchen.